Physician Participation in Market Support Clinical Studies and Subsequent Prescribing Behavior

ABSTRACTThis paper examines how physician participation in a market support clinical trial (i.e., Phase IIIb and IV) influences subsequent prescribing behavior. The study used a random matched sample of 1,876 physicians, half of whom had functioned as principal investigators in outpatient market support clinical trials and half of whom had not. The study found a stronger relationship in Phase IIIb studies than in Phase IV studies between participation in clinical trials and increased study drug prescribing and established no relationship between trial participation and additional sponsor company prescribing for other, nonstudy drugs.